New 2012 G37S 7AT Review (upgrade from 09 G37xS) SUPER LONG with pics
03-21-2012, 10:59 PM
#1
New 2012 G37S 7AT Review (upgrade from 09 G37xS) SUPER LONG with pics
Ok guys...kind of a long time in the making (been thinking about a car for months) and I landed a 2012 G37S 7AT with premium/nav + toys.
I'll get the bad out of the way first. I have less than 300 miles and I have a huge creak/squeak. Its coming from under the seat? or under the shifter?...it seems down deep and I need to get this fixed. It doesn't seem to be coming from the console, but UNDER the console. It happens when making sweeping turns where the chassis flexes, but not all chassis flexing as it doesn't happen when entering my driveway.
Now that I got that out of the way, I LOVE the car. Its a real nice upgrade from the 09xS.
Style: I like the changes from the 09 to 10+. They really are mostly front end heavy on the exterior and shifter/guages on the interior. I know I'm stating what is already known. I do like the separated fog lights as they actually look cool instead of being buried with the headlights. I've got the full Aero Kit of Front Chin, Rear Lip and Midnight Black Grille. I think the Enkei logo/writing is bigger on these wheels than it was on my 09. I know...silly details.
Tech: I really like the sharper Nav screen. The backup cam is a touch sharper but seems like it's almost Black and White. I'd say its a wash when comparing it to the 09. However, the screen is much sharper so all other features looks super. The nav voice lady is much nicer sounding instead of like a robot, and, the "Ding" is nice and soft now. Nav Weather is way cool and folks think it's way nifty!
My iPhone 4 now connects 100% of the time when getting in the car. After the IOS 5 Update, it would only connect 25% of the time with my 09 NAV G. I would have to just hit the settings button on my iPhone and then it would connect. I didn't even need to play with any settings...just hit settings. Weird.
The car downloaded my whole phone book automatically (very nice) and now shows my call log from my actual phone, not the log from numbers the car had dialed. This is nice.
Brakes: Love them. I think the stock setup was fine when new, but after my first full service they never felt the same. I posted/griped about it but dealer always said they were fine. I think they needed to be bled. With my new Akebono brakes, I can feel some pedal effort change as the rpms move (think braking while the car is downshifting through the gears and the rpms are changing up and down). However, this feeling is 1/5 what it was in my 09. I was hating my 09 brakes and thinking something was wrong with the pedal effort change. Likely, it was just more exaggerated with those brakes and the suspected air in the lines. The Akebono's feel great and look great. Win - Win.
Transmission: Here is the shocker. I was a big complainer about my 7AT in the 09G37xS. I even test drove a brand new 11G37x (build date 6/11) and it drove basically like mine. However, the 12 feels great. Now, it's not apples to apples since this the first time I'm driving a RWD. Maybe the calibration is different, maybe the AWD hurts the tranny. Either way, it feels way different than my twice re-flashed 09. Here were my issues:
1. Downshift lag (brake then back on the gas), but that didn't really bother me, 2. Jerk when slowing for a stop (not consistent) but just felt crappy when slowing to a stop with the A/C OFF (no load on engine),
3. Flare - Mine still did it even post flashes.
As for the 12......not sure about the lag, but seems fine. I tried to do that a bit today and it seemed fine. However, maybe since the car is so new and there hasn't been any "learning"....it will get worse. Either way, it's not an issue for me. The flare is basically gone. There a tiny amount there, but it's just apart of the way the variable T/C locks and unlocks. My big problem with the 09 was after parking a warm car, and then jumping in it 15mins - 2 hours later, it would flare when shifting from 3-4 or 4-5, but only on the first acceleration or two. After that...it was fine. I've tried this with the 12 and it hasn't done it. My 09 (again, twice flashed) did this almost always. Also, I rough downshifting when slowing down....12 is super smooth. CRAZY CRAZY thing is that the tach does the same thing (seems to "bounce" down to 800 rpm's or so and jump up to 1100 or so) as my 09, except my 09 would jerk but the 12 is smooth. It's crazy to watch as I'm expecting it to jerk but it doesn't.
So in summary, I like the 7AT again!
Suspension: I've always liked a firm ride. This has it. It really isn't that harsh. The guys at Cnet.com seemed to not like it but I guess they suck. I love it. NONE of the G's are softly sprung but the true Sport package gives it an edge. Added bonus: The twin tube shocks are silent over bumps. Most shocks, including my 09X, make a "pssttt" sound as the shock absorber hits a bump. This isn't a flaw, its not "bad", but its a fact of life that most shocks do this. The sport package shocks DO NOT. I think it might have something to do with the "twin tube" design. Either way, its an added bonus. Again, more minutia that I've discovered! The car handles well. Flatter than the X and just feels great. Love it.
Steering: Nice upgrade from the X. The quicker gear is NOTICEABLE in parking lots and general driving. Plus the car has a smaller turning radius, not by a ton, but smaller than the X. Also, I like how the steering holds the steering angle while moving at slow speeds in a parking lot. I think this is due to the lack of driveshafts on the steering wheels. So, I can turn the wheel, move slowly and not have to hold the wheel. It will keep the wheel turned almost as if I don't have power steering. This is a nice feel.
Fuel Economy: The X is a bit of a gas pig. 18/25. Seems this winter on "winter gas" I could barely make 25mpg (computer indicated) on a flat road at 65mph. This RWD does noticeably better. It's only rated 2 mpg more on the highway, but it seems like more. I've been doing little "tests" here and there. Today, I was able to hyper-mile into the low 30's over the course of 15-20 miles. I could d NEVER do that with my X. BTW: I put a lot of stock into the computer as it usually is VERY close to actual calculated milage. Sometimes it's scary how dead on it is.
Engine/Speed: 1. The 3.7L still sounds like a diesel for the first 15 seconds it's started. It's all in the VVEL as it goes away the instant you touch the gas. So much for it being quiet with Ester Oil (if that even is the factory fill).
2. The engine just sounds different than my 09. Not really any quieter, just different. This car sounds more "exhaust-y" as if I have high flow/raspy cat converters. Maybe it will change after the exhaust is coated internally with soot? It probably never even gets soot coated as I'm sure it gets too hot. Either way, it sounds good when on it (but I haven't really gone more than 50-70% throttle).
3. The car is faster than the X. Well..maybe in a drag race the X would win off the line...but the RWD is a faster car. Less weight and no AWD resistance. The car just feels peppier. Now, the X isn't slow. Any car that can hit 60 in the mid 5's is fast. Period. But this car is faster. It just seems more effortless.
The one caveat is that I live in a snowy area. I'm going to get true snows this winter and see how I fare. I think I'll be fine.
In summary, I LOVE the car. The 09 was a good car, but it's easy to get down on it after 50K miles. It just looses it's new car appeal. My 12 has a true sport package where the 09 is just "Sport Appearance". The 12 does everything my 09 did but better (except snow driving). Faster, Lighter, Better Handling, Faster Steering, Better MPG's, Refreshed Design and New Nav.
See Pics Below. Ask anything, I'll try to answer.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76390309@N04/7004733219/" title="IMG_3609 by P32ACDM, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7004733219_6e6a69ea55_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="IMG_3609"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76390309@N04/6858615788/" title="IMG_3613 by P32ACDM, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6104/6858615788_d31612009a_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="IMG_3613"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76390309@N04/7004734165/" title="IMG_3617 by P32ACDM, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/7004734165_4a409f7a16_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="IMG_3617"></a>
And PS - Don't tell me to lower it.
I'll get the bad out of the way first. I have less than 300 miles and I have a huge creak/squeak. Its coming from under the seat? or under the shifter?...it seems down deep and I need to get this fixed. It doesn't seem to be coming from the console, but UNDER the console. It happens when making sweeping turns where the chassis flexes, but not all chassis flexing as it doesn't happen when entering my driveway.
Now that I got that out of the way, I LOVE the car. Its a real nice upgrade from the 09xS.
Style: I like the changes from the 09 to 10+. They really are mostly front end heavy on the exterior and shifter/guages on the interior. I know I'm stating what is already known. I do like the separated fog lights as they actually look cool instead of being buried with the headlights. I've got the full Aero Kit of Front Chin, Rear Lip and Midnight Black Grille. I think the Enkei logo/writing is bigger on these wheels than it was on my 09. I know...silly details.
Tech: I really like the sharper Nav screen. The backup cam is a touch sharper but seems like it's almost Black and White. I'd say its a wash when comparing it to the 09. However, the screen is much sharper so all other features looks super. The nav voice lady is much nicer sounding instead of like a robot, and, the "Ding" is nice and soft now. Nav Weather is way cool and folks think it's way nifty!
My iPhone 4 now connects 100% of the time when getting in the car. After the IOS 5 Update, it would only connect 25% of the time with my 09 NAV G. I would have to just hit the settings button on my iPhone and then it would connect. I didn't even need to play with any settings...just hit settings. Weird.
The car downloaded my whole phone book automatically (very nice) and now shows my call log from my actual phone, not the log from numbers the car had dialed. This is nice.
Brakes: Love them. I think the stock setup was fine when new, but after my first full service they never felt the same. I posted/griped about it but dealer always said they were fine. I think they needed to be bled. With my new Akebono brakes, I can feel some pedal effort change as the rpms move (think braking while the car is downshifting through the gears and the rpms are changing up and down). However, this feeling is 1/5 what it was in my 09. I was hating my 09 brakes and thinking something was wrong with the pedal effort change. Likely, it was just more exaggerated with those brakes and the suspected air in the lines. The Akebono's feel great and look great. Win - Win.
Transmission: Here is the shocker. I was a big complainer about my 7AT in the 09G37xS. I even test drove a brand new 11G37x (build date 6/11) and it drove basically like mine. However, the 12 feels great. Now, it's not apples to apples since this the first time I'm driving a RWD. Maybe the calibration is different, maybe the AWD hurts the tranny. Either way, it feels way different than my twice re-flashed 09. Here were my issues:
1. Downshift lag (brake then back on the gas), but that didn't really bother me, 2. Jerk when slowing for a stop (not consistent) but just felt crappy when slowing to a stop with the A/C OFF (no load on engine),
3. Flare - Mine still did it even post flashes.
As for the 12......not sure about the lag, but seems fine. I tried to do that a bit today and it seemed fine. However, maybe since the car is so new and there hasn't been any "learning"....it will get worse. Either way, it's not an issue for me. The flare is basically gone. There a tiny amount there, but it's just apart of the way the variable T/C locks and unlocks. My big problem with the 09 was after parking a warm car, and then jumping in it 15mins - 2 hours later, it would flare when shifting from 3-4 or 4-5, but only on the first acceleration or two. After that...it was fine. I've tried this with the 12 and it hasn't done it. My 09 (again, twice flashed) did this almost always. Also, I rough downshifting when slowing down....12 is super smooth. CRAZY CRAZY thing is that the tach does the same thing (seems to "bounce" down to 800 rpm's or so and jump up to 1100 or so) as my 09, except my 09 would jerk but the 12 is smooth. It's crazy to watch as I'm expecting it to jerk but it doesn't.
So in summary, I like the 7AT again!
Suspension: I've always liked a firm ride. This has it. It really isn't that harsh. The guys at Cnet.com seemed to not like it but I guess they suck. I love it. NONE of the G's are softly sprung but the true Sport package gives it an edge. Added bonus: The twin tube shocks are silent over bumps. Most shocks, including my 09X, make a "pssttt" sound as the shock absorber hits a bump. This isn't a flaw, its not "bad", but its a fact of life that most shocks do this. The sport package shocks DO NOT. I think it might have something to do with the "twin tube" design. Either way, its an added bonus. Again, more minutia that I've discovered!
The car handles well. Flatter than the X and just feels great. Love it.Steering: Nice upgrade from the X. The quicker gear is NOTICEABLE in parking lots and general driving. Plus the car has a smaller turning radius, not by a ton, but smaller than the X. Also, I like how the steering holds the steering angle while moving at slow speeds in a parking lot. I think this is due to the lack of driveshafts on the steering wheels. So, I can turn the wheel, move slowly and not have to hold the wheel. It will keep the wheel turned almost as if I don't have power steering. This is a nice feel.
Fuel Economy: The X is a bit of a gas pig. 18/25. Seems this winter on "winter gas" I could barely make 25mpg (computer indicated) on a flat road at 65mph. This RWD does noticeably better. It's only rated 2 mpg more on the highway, but it seems like more. I've been doing little "tests" here and there. Today, I was able to hyper-mile into the low 30's over the course of 15-20 miles. I could d NEVER do that with my X. BTW: I put a lot of stock into the computer as it usually is VERY close to actual calculated milage. Sometimes it's scary how dead on it is.
Engine/Speed: 1. The 3.7L still sounds like a diesel for the first 15 seconds it's started. It's all in the VVEL as it goes away the instant you touch the gas. So much for it being quiet with Ester Oil (if that even is the factory fill).
2. The engine just sounds different than my 09. Not really any quieter, just different. This car sounds more "exhaust-y" as if I have high flow/raspy cat converters. Maybe it will change after the exhaust is coated internally with soot? It probably never even gets soot coated as I'm sure it gets too hot. Either way, it sounds good when on it (but I haven't really gone more than 50-70% throttle).
3. The car is faster than the X. Well..maybe in a drag race the X would win off the line...but the RWD is a faster car. Less weight and no AWD resistance. The car just feels peppier. Now, the X isn't slow. Any car that can hit 60 in the mid 5's is fast. Period. But this car is faster. It just seems more effortless.
The one caveat is that I live in a snowy area. I'm going to get true snows this winter and see how I fare. I think I'll be fine.
In summary, I LOVE the car. The 09 was a good car, but it's easy to get down on it after 50K miles. It just looses it's new car appeal. My 12 has a true sport package where the 09 is just "Sport Appearance". The 12 does everything my 09 did but better (except snow driving). Faster, Lighter, Better Handling, Faster Steering, Better MPG's, Refreshed Design and New Nav.
See Pics Below. Ask anything, I'll try to answer.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76390309@N04/7004733219/" title="IMG_3609 by P32ACDM, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7004733219_6e6a69ea55_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="IMG_3609"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76390309@N04/6858615788/" title="IMG_3613 by P32ACDM, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6104/6858615788_d31612009a_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="IMG_3613"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76390309@N04/7004734165/" title="IMG_3617 by P32ACDM, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6111/7004734165_4a409f7a16_c.jpg" width="800" height="598" alt="IMG_3617"></a>
And PS - Don't tell me to lower it.
03-21-2012, 11:20 PM
#4
The 7AT is just consistently fast. No missed shifts, no bogged starts. I was a pretty good manual driver, had an 06 Altima SE-R 6sp, but the G's 7AT makes it too easy.
PLUS, I want to consume less oil/gas. I should buy a hybrid. But my new RWD is rated at slightly higher mpg than the AWD and the 6MT is rated slightly worse. I promised myself I'd move in the direction of better gas mileage.
PLUS, I want to consume less oil/gas. I should buy a hybrid. But my new RWD is rated at slightly higher mpg than the AWD and the 6MT is rated slightly worse. I promised myself I'd move in the direction of better gas mileage.
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03-22-2012, 12:45 AM
#8
The 7AT is just consistently fast. No missed shifts, no bogged starts. I was a pretty good manual driver, had an 06 Altima SE-R 6sp, but the G's 7AT makes it too easy.
PLUS, I want to consume less oil/gas. I should buy a hybrid. But my new RWD is rated at slightly higher mpg than the AWD and the 6MT is rated slightly worse. I promised myself I'd move in the direction of better gas mileage.
PLUS, I want to consume less oil/gas. I should buy a hybrid. But my new RWD is rated at slightly higher mpg than the AWD and the 6MT is rated slightly worse. I promised myself I'd move in the direction of better gas mileage.
03-22-2012, 09:13 AM
#14
As far as the AUX...there is none. Infiniti has skppied right past AUX and thats a good thing. All my stuff is apple and it works great with it. I've got a old classic 120 or 160GB that I use/abuse as my car iPod. It's hooked up via USB and plays/charges fine. It was in my 09 for a good 2 years in 100 degree heat and 0 Degree winter days. That thing is a trooper.
Mike S.
Last edited by Mike S.; 03-22-2012 at 09:39 AM.
03-22-2012, 10:31 AM
#15
Registered User
Nice write-up. I may try to switch out to a regular RWD S as well..from the X, hopefully sometime late summer or fall. I could do without the extra weight and drivetrain loss, although I'll miss the grippyness off the line and through the corners.
I think the 7AT is great for this motor..lower gears keep it more torquey down low. My '11 is an 08/11 build but I do not experience any of the famed transmission issues.
It's funny, your car almost looks identical to mine even though you have the rear spoiler and that extended front lip, the differences are really subtle. I think I prefer the chrome grille to the midnight though, for some reason I think the chrome keeps the contrast going against the black and makes it look more aggressive. I think the black grille would look good on other colors though, especially white.
I think the 7AT is great for this motor..lower gears keep it more torquey down low. My '11 is an 08/11 build but I do not experience any of the famed transmission issues.
It's funny, your car almost looks identical to mine even though you have the rear spoiler and that extended front lip, the differences are really subtle. I think I prefer the chrome grille to the midnight though, for some reason I think the chrome keeps the contrast going against the black and makes it look more aggressive. I think the black grille would look good on other colors though, especially white.